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Stumpery
 The stumpery was established
in January 2003 at the Angelina Farmer’s Market by the Master
Gardeners. An intermittent creek bed under shade trees was an
unused portion of the property, and it was planted with shade
tolerant plants and accented with stumps and petrified wood.
A stumpery is a Victorian
concept in landscaping. Ferns and other shade loving plants are
planted among large masses of up-turned tree stumps (hence the
name), rocks, petrified wood, gnarled tree roots, stumps left in
place from timber cutting, and large weathered tree branches.
Stumperies take many forms and have a life of their own.
A foot bridge over the creek
was installed by Boy Scout Bryce Busler for his Eagle Scout
project. Master Gardeners worked with him to coordinate the
design and installation. Since many Angelina county residents
have shaded yards the stumpery serves as a demonstration garden
of shade loving and shade tolerant plants that can tolerate our
extreme summer temperatures. Signs identifying plants allow
visitors to get ideas for their own yards. Come visit often so
you can enjoy the seasonal changes.
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Texas Master
Gardener Association Award
3rd Place for Project in Small County
The
Stumpery was awarded
third place for projects in small county associations at the Texas Master
Gardener Association 2006 meeting. Master Gardener Bonnie
Hammett is shown accepting the award on behalf of the Angelina
Master Gardeners Association in Kerrville, Texas in April 2007.
A shade tolerant landscape is on display in the seasonal creek bed
at the Farmer's Market. Petrified wood and massive stumps
provide hardscape. A footbridge connects both sides of the Farmer's
Market. |
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June
Stumpery Slideshow
We hope you will come
visit the Stumpery at the Angelina County Farmer's
Market soon. Enjoy these slides taken recently.
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Fern Care
Susan Williams, Master Gardene r
Best
not to fertilize first or second year. Too much fertilizer
will promote fronds with no substantial root system. Use
compost, bark chips, etc. instead.
Be careful not to
over water. Too much water will rot roots.
Mulch every year
with 3-4 inches of natural compost—leaves, pine straw, bark
mulch, composted materials.
Leave trimmed
fronds on surface of soil to promote spore activity.
To landscape a
large area, plant ferns in groups of three to five, about
11/2 -2 feet apart.
Use rocks or
fallen limbs with lichen, moss, etc., to naturalize and
provide extra moisture and stability.
Add groundcovers
and shade loving shrubs for structure.
Be sure to select
according to needs of fern. Some actually like the sun and
some like wet feet, etc.
When dividing
clumps be careful not to damage the crown. Find the natural
divisions of the crown.
Label your ferns
in case you decide to collect spores.
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